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The History of Braces

Home » Blog » The History of Braces

When we talk about modern orthodontic treatment, we are often quick to point out how today’s options are far more comfortable and discreet than ever before. Traditional braces especially have come along in leaps and bounds, and are now available in several different varieties, from metal to lingual and even ceramic. Patients can even choose removable clear aligners for the ultimate in convenient, subtle treatment. But even the bulkier, uncomfortable options of the recent past do not seem so bad when you consider what used to pass for orthodontic treatment! Once upon a time, creating a straight smile depended on materials like catgut and crude metal, or if you were really fancy, gold wire.

Craig & Streight Orthodontics may be all about using the latest in technology and technique to give patients a beautiful, functional smile, but it can be a lot of fun to take a look back at where it all began. Evidence of the very first attempts at manipulating crooked teeth into more desirable positions has been found in remains that are close to 50,000 years old. That means that before the days of self-ligating systems and clear aligner therapy, there were centuries of attempts at correcting poorly aligned teeth and jaws. Whether the goal was to improve chewing, speaking, or the overall appearance of their patient, let us take a closer look at the way some of these earliest orthodontists worked!

Ancient orthodontics

Orthodontics goes way, way back. The earliest Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans have been found sporting ancient orthodontic gear, and even Hippocrates was in on the action! The ancient Greek physician wrote the very first known description of tooth irregularities, way back in about 400 B.C. Classical Greek philosopher Socrates also made mention of orthodontics when he described a gold band some Etruscan women used to preserve the position of the teeth after death in his work. The Roman writer Celsus had a less sanitary method and recommended using the fingers to push newly emerging teeth into their proper position. (Thankfully he never bothered to share his thoughts on what to use as a retainer.)

Interest in the 18th century

There was a long lull in progress for orthodontics until the 18th century, at which point a positive flurry of development in dental techniques occurred. Along the way, however, there were some flops, like the bandeau. Written about by pioneering French dentist Pierre Fauchard in 1728, this horseshoe-shaped piece of metal was placed outside the teeth and string or wire used to tie the teeth to the arch. The bandeau was a bit similar to modern braces in that it relied on steady pressure over time to move teeth, but it was not adjustable and was very difficult to use for moving individual teeth in different directions. Fauchard was also known for operating on patients with a set of forceps he called a “pelican.” This instrument forcibly realigned the teeth, and Fauchard would then tie them to the adjacent teeth to hold them in place while they healed. Does not make wires and brackets seem so bad, does it?

teeth mold

For all its faults, the bandeau was used for almost a hundred years before finally going out of fashion when Christophe-François Delabarre developed the wire crib in 1819. This was essentially the birth of contemporary orthodontics. The crib was made of wires, often metal, that had been bent and then soldered together to make a sort of cage that fit tightly over and around the teeth. Strings or metal springs could then be attached and used to apply a constant force to teeth, slowly moving them into new, improved positions. Although it was quite basic compared to today’s technology, the wire crib worked in much the same way as contemporary braces and aligners and is actually the precursor of several of today’s appliances.

By the late 1800’s, orthodontics was gaining steam in both theory and practice. Edward Hartley Angle, considered by many to be the father of modern orthodontics, was able to identify the true properties of malocclusions, or misalignments, of the teeth and jaws in around 1880. These were addressed with an increasingly effective set of orthodontic appliances that continues even now!

The path to modern orthodontics

The 19th century brought significant orthodontic contributions to the United States. In 1822, J.S. Gunnell invented what he called “occipital anchorage,” which was a form of headgear that fastened to the jaw from the outside of the mouth and exerted gentle pressure on the teeth. Charles Goodyear came up with vulcanized rubber in 1839, and it did not take long for orthodontists to realize its potential. Just a few years later, E.G. Tucker became the first American dentist to use rubber in his orthodontic appliances. In 1840, “The Dental Art” was published. A classic book on dentistry, author Chapin A. Harris was the first to outline practices like soldering knobs on bands to assist with tooth rotation and applying gold caps to molars to open the dental bite.

Here, orthodontic appliances hit a wall. Although there were tremendous strides made in understanding precisely how the teeth and jaws worked over the next century, braces themselves were kind of stuck in a rut. The materials used remained mostly unchanged, generally consisting of gold, platinum, silver, steel, gum rubber, or vulcanite, but early orthodontists sometimes used ivory, zinc, copper, brass, or even wood instead. Up until the 1970s, orthodontists would anchor brackets by winding wires around each individual tooth, but the invention of dental adhesives enabled them to switch to sticking brackets to the surfaces of the teeth instead.

Meanwhile, stainless steel replaced gold and silver as the most popular choice for wires thanks to its shapeability. This cut the costs of braces significantly, making them much more widely available. Lingual braces also came along in the 1970’s. These were the first orthodontic appliances to address aesthetics by running along the inside of the teeth’s surfaces rather than the outer surface. Lingual braces are still an excellent choice for patients looking for a more discreet treatment option!

Brothers smiling for a photo

Straight smiles with no fuss with Craig & Streight Orthodontics

Wanting a healthy, functional smile is clearly nothing new. Humans have been striving for a way to straighten teeth going back centuries, and well-aligned teeth and jaws are just as important today as they were back when Fauchard was trying out his bandeau models. Craig & Streight Orthodontics is proud to be part of such an established tradition of improving oral health and the lives of those we are able to treat. With offices in Norman, Mustang, and South OKC, we have got everything you need to help you find your smile’s place in history!

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Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

stephanie S.
Dr. Streight is amazing and thinks outside of the box of orthodontics! He listens to your concerns and makes sure to discuss all possibilities before implementing a plan. I interviewed many orthodontists before landing here. I have five children and wanted to make sure I was comfortable with our choice. Now that we have used Dr Streight for two years, we could not be happier ! He is truly a problem solver and did wonders for us. Many orthodontists wanted to take the quickest and easiest route to restore my kiddos’ mouths; however he manipulated the palate over time and and created space for growth and movement in their mouths without the immediate pull of teeth while
preventing surgeries and long term damage. He is a master at his profession. Thank you for lifetime of healthy, happy teeth and smiles!
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Ila F.
The doctors and staff are professional and kind! Any issues have been immediately responded to and we have been very pleased with our child's care.
devinsellers
5 stars is an understatement
I feel like more than a patient when im there
Very thoughtful very helpful
Willing to work with my busy schedule
I've been going there for almost 3 years now and have yet to have a bad experience
10 out of 10 would recommend
Response from the owner:Hi Devin. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you feel valued and supported during your visits. It's great to know that our team has been able to accommodate your schedule and provide a positive experience over the years. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to serve you!
Joe A.
My daughter is very happy with her smile after her braces were off. We are very pleased with the outcome.
Response from the owner:Hi Joe. Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your daughter is so happy with her new smile. It's always rewarding to see such positive outcomes, and we appreciate your support!
Adam M.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Easy to understand every step and get started that day with a journey to a better smile.
Response from the owner:Hi Adam. Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're so glad to hear that our team made your experience enjoyable and clear. Your journey to a better smile is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Hilary D.
Patient & kind staff. My kids were stoked to get t-shirts & play games while waiting.
Response from the owner:Hi Hilary. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that our team made your visit enjoyable for both you and your kids. Creating a welcoming environment is important to us, and it's great to know that the t-shirts and games added to the fun. We appreciate your feedback!
Michelle B.
Such great staff and extremely attentive to making sure my treatment is effective. Love coming in!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Michelle! We're thrilled to hear that our staff has made a positive impact on your treatment experience. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit!
Rachel A.
We have been seeing Dr. Craig and Dr. Streight for about 18 months. They were recommended to us by several others, as well as our dentist. We have had a very positive experience. We are hopefully almost done, and our next child is starting to see them now as well. We are confident he is in good hands.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review!
Mike C.
Did us a solid job. We agreed on a price and they held up their end. No complaints.
Response from the owner:Hey Mike. Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Vanessa Monik R.
First, I am extremely thankful and happy with the customer service here at Craig & Streight orthodontics! After going to a total of 3 different Orthos, I decided CSO was perfect for my needs. I was able to get my braces on same day and they tailored a payment schedule to my budget. Kari and Ryan listened to me and answered all my questions. Thank you everyone! A BIG Thank you to the gal that applied my braces. I look forward to this journey with CSO!
Response from the owner:Hi Vanessa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to meet your needs and make your journey with braces a positive one. Your kind words about Kari, Ryan, and our staff mean a lot to us. We’re excited to support you every step of the way!
Alyssa C.
My kids and I had a great experience! The staff was informative, the new technology was impressive, and the pricing was very reasonable. We were in and out quickly with a same-day consultation, and they were able to start the services my son needed right away. Plus, the fun arcade games kept the kids entertained while we waited. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Hi Alyssa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids enjoyed your visit and found our staff informative and our technology impressive. It's great to know that the quick service and entertainment options made your time with us enjoyable. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back!
Jen K.
They are always encouraging and give her such positive feedback each time my daughter scans for her invisaline. Every step of the process has been excellent
Response from the owner:Hi Jen. Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s wonderful to hear that your daughter is receiving such positive encouragement throughout her Invisalign journey. We’re dedicated to making every step a great one, and your feedback truly motivates us to keep up the good work!
Susn J.
The best Orthodontist office you’ll ever find. Everyone goes above and beyond to help! Can’t imagine going anywhere else! The kids love going!
Response from the owner:Hi Susan. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids have such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care!
Rachel D.
We went in for a consultation after a horrible consultation with another orthodontist and let me say Dr. Craig and her staff are absolutely AMAZING!! My daughter was super hesitant after the previous encounter with the other orthodontist but the staff here at Craig and Streight are top notch! They immediately eased my daughter's mind with their kindness! Went in for a consultation walked out with braces and a great office to take care of her dental needs! Thank you!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Rachel. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Craig and our team were able to provide such a positive and reassuring environment for your daughter. It's wonderful to know that we could help ease her concerns and support her dental journey. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to care for your family's needs!
kammy B.
Very kind very observant always asking and answering questions best dentist visit I’ve had by far
Response from the owner:Hi Kammy. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made your visit so positive and engaging.

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

1476 N. Mustang Rd.
Mustang, OK 73064
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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